Cultural and Social Identities apply the theories and critical methods of social and cultural analysis in order to understand how the identities of groups, cultures and nations are formulated, expressed and disseminated around the globe. We approach questions of identity from a variety of disciplinary and global perspectives and engage with complex questions on the relationships between the formation of group and individual identities and their representations within and across categories such as gender, nation, class, race, dis/ability, citizenship, and sexuality. Constructions of identity -who I am and who we are - influence the cultural landscape and are central to political alignments and advocacy across the socio-economic spectrum. Our courses equip students to examine the building-blocks of identity, such as values, naming, branding, group affiliations and behaviors, group politics and modes of expression. Students explore the social, cultural and historical influences exerted in specific geographical locations and their impacts on human expression and representation – in sports, museums, restaurants and on tv, for example. We introduce students to effective methods and practices for researching in the field, including analysis of space and place, analysis of cultural products and political discourses as well as observations, interviews and focus groups.
For the Senior Thesis project, students have the opportunity to undertake field research to inform their secondary research and scholarly writing. Notably, CSI has the distinction of its students being the most frequent winners of the GLS Prize for the best senior thesis.
